Anak Krakatoa eruption disrupts flights for more than 270,000 passengers in Indonesia

Anak Krakatoa’s renewed eruption has disrupted air travel for more than 270,000 passengers, with seven Indonesian airports remaining closed because of volcanic ash. The closures include Jakarta’s main airport and have affected about 2,300 flights, including international services to Sydney, Doha and Amsterdam.

Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry said it had decided to “extend the temporary closure” of the airports. Soekarno-Hatta, a major Southeast Asian aviation hub, is among those affected, along with five other airports on Java and Radin Inten airport on Sumatra. All will remain closed until further notice while authorities continue evaluating conditions.

The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, became active again overnight after several apparently quiet hours following an eruption on Friday. Indonesian authorities said ash had reached more than 15 kilometers in altitude, above the 9-to-12-kilometer range where commercial aircraft typically fly.

Six airports in Java have been designated as alternatives to help maintain air links. Their use will depend on ash conditions and decisions by the airlines, among other factors.

Anak Krakatoa, meaning “child of Krakatoa” in Indonesian, emerged from the sea more than half a century after the legendary Krakatoa eruption of 1883. A 2018 eruption caused a tsunami that killed 425 people, left 25 missing and injured about 14,000, according to official figures. The Indonesian Geological Agency said there was no tsunami risk this time.

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Extend the temporary closure.